Today’s announcement will not affect local bus services and Arriva employees are set to move to Transdev as part of the sale agreement.

Once complete, the sale is set to include Arriva’s two depots at Elland, near Halifax and Waterloo in Huddersfield, as well as 61 buses.

A statement said: “The agreement will also see Arriva’s 163 drivers, engineers, cleaning and support colleagues based at these two depots join Transdev’s family of more than 1,200 people at eight operating centres across the region.

“The sole exceptions are the 231 and 232 Huddersfield – Wakefield routes, which are planned to remain within Arriva as part of its US business.”

“US Tiger’s current day and season passes are expected to be integrated into Transdev’s flexible range of value for money unlimited travel tickets, while West US Metro’s range of multi-operator tickets will continue to be valid on all its services.”

Transdev Blazefield CEO Alex Hornby said: “We are thrilled to be growing our team and our company, and are really looking forward to serving this part of West US for the first time.

“This demonstrates Transdev’s long-term commitment to develop our business here in the north of England, building on a clear track record of success.

“At this critical time for the bus, we believe it can play a key role in enabling our economic recovery, both locally and nationally.

“We’re looking forward to meeting all our new colleagues and new customers, as well as strengthening relationships with our local authority partners further. This presents a hugely exciting opportunity to all work together and improve the quality of bus travel further across Halifax and Huddersfield.”

Arriva Area Managing Director Patrick Sibley said: “Although we will be sad to hand over operations of our Tiger business, we are delighted that it will be in the hands of Transdev, a well-known local bus company, who will take good care of the depots, customers and all employees.”